Abstract
PML/RARα is the putative transforming sequence of acute promyelocytic leukemias. We investigated the effects of PML/RARα on cell survival by expressing the fusion protein in the growth factor-dependent TF-1 cell line and analyzing the kinetics of cell death after GM-CSF deprivation. Results showed that PML/RARα expression markedly delayed apoptotic cell death (3 weeks vs 1 week) without inducing growth factor independence. Growth factor deprivation caused rapid and massive apoptosis of control TF-1 cells (> 95% apoptotic cells after 4-5 days). Factor-deprived control cells were synchronously and irreversibly committed to apoptosis as shown by their inability to re-enter the cell cycle after GM-CSF re-addition. The percentage of apoptotic cells in the PML/RARα expressing cells was low (approximately 30-35%) and constant over the 4 weeks of factor deprivation. GM-CSF re-addition produced rapid increase in cell number at all time points during the 4 weeks of factor deprivation, suggesting that commitment to apoptosis was asynchronous and delayed in PML/RARα-expressing TF-1 cells. We conclude that PML/RARα interferes with the genetic pathways which regulate survival by reducing the frequency of commitment to apoptosis. This biological effect of PML/RARα may contribute to its leukemogenetic potential.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1467-1472 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Leukemia |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 9 |
Publication status | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- Apoptosis
- GM-CSF
- PML/RARα
- TF1
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cancer Research
- Hematology